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Elvis In Nike Campaign

April 03, 2002 | Other
Nike will announce the launch of its newest campaign, a more than $90 million media blitz featuring the Elvis Presley song "A Little Less Conversation." The campaign, entitled "Secret Tournament," will feature some of the world’s top soccer players, and is scheduled to coincide with this summer's World Cup Championship. BMG and Elvis Presley Enterprises have entered into an agreement with Nike to provide the soundtrack of the "Secret Tournament" series of TV commercials. The spots feature soccer giants, such as Thierry Henry, Ronaldo, Figo and Roberto Carlos, battling each other to the tune of a remixed version of "A Little Less Conversation." The setting, an industrial tanker, provides a dramatic backdrop. Soccer legend Eric Cantona acts as host to this unprecedented match-up of some of the world's greatest players.

With "Secret Tournament" Nike becomes one of BMG and EPE's key partners in celebrating Elvis' musical legacy, thereby reaffirming the RCA superstar’s unique contemporary appeal and setting the stage for the BMG release of ELV1S 30 # 1 Hits in October. The Nike commercials will also allow a new generation to experience the power of Elvis’ music in the context of soccer, the world's most popular sport, and Nike, one of the world's most cutting edge brands.

Terry Gilliam, the Monty Python troupe member and renowned director of films like "Brazil" and "12 Monkeys," directed the piece. UK-based JXL executed the remix of "A Little Less Conversation" which prominently features Elvis' unique sound and dynamism. The Nike campaign will begin airing on April 4 and will extend until the end of June. The commercials will air in more than 30 markets, including all major European, Asian, North and South American countries. Click here for the game and commercials.

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